Deck track

ABSTRACT

Deck Track (new invention) consisting of a steel self fastening, concealed track system. Manufactured of various environmental resistant coatings. Comprising a series of formed recievers and fasteners spaced equally to receive 5.5″inch composite deckboards with pre-formed slots (grooved) on two sides. The new invention (Deck Track) will allow patios, walkways and marine decking materials to be installed without use of nails, screws, or individual fasteners (prior art). The installation time of deckboards being reduced by upwards of 50% from any existing (prior art) concealed fastening systems. The integrated fasteners and recievers of the steel self fastening system (new invention) maintains appropriate gaps between composite deckboards after fasteners are secured, for the life of the deck.

RELATED APPLICATION

The present application claims priority benefit, with regard to all common subject matter, of earlier filed U.S. provisional patent application titled “DECK TRACK” application U.S. Ser. No. 61/277,038, filed Sep. 21, 2009. The earlier filed provisional patent application is hereby incorporated into the present application by specific reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of Invention

The present invention relates to slotted (grooved) composite decking material. The present invention relates to a deck track for securing composite deck boards to an underlying support member (joist).

2. Description of the Prior Art

The decking industry is moving into composite materials as the deck material of choice. For both durability and environmental conciousness lumber (wood) as a deck material is both limited in it's longevity, durability and is unreliable in quality. Decks today are getting away from the inconsistency of lumber and using composite materials for the surface deck exclusively.

Unlike conventional lumber deck surfaces, that are nailed or screwed to the supporting member (joist), composite deck boards are typically secured with hidden fastening systems (individual clips). This application of the prior art hidden fastening system provided a more finished appearance. Although utility limitations are encountered. Example U.S. Pat. No. 6,416,269 B1 and U.S. 2007/0289232A1.

Prior Art deck clips have limitations as noted: 1) Insignificant fastening force resulting in uneven gaps and loose deck boards. 2) Individual clip application which increases installation time of deck boards. 3) Repetitive hand motions using drill motor and screws which increases fatigue on the applicators hands and back (lumbar).

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention solves the above limitations. As follows the presented invention is an integrated deck board fastening system track. The integrated deck board fasteners accept slotted (grooved) composite deck boards sequentially. Initiating installation of present invention begins on the supporting member (joist) which is fastened on to a ledger board running perpindicular to the supporting member (joist). Align leading edge of present invention on the supporting member so as to insure that composite deck boards remain parallel throughout deck installation. Install present invention (Deck Track) to existing joists by pressing the present invention into place, engaging lower tangs into sides of joist. Install horizontal slot of composite deck board into single receiving tang/starting point. Keeping composite deck board at slight angle, rest deck board on twin fasteners opposing side with firm pressure applied downward on deck board. The opposing twin fasteners will align with the slotted groove of deck board. Once aligned, the twin fasteners can be securely and permanetly pressed into slotted groove of deck board.

BRIEF DISCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES

The embodiment of the present invention is described in detail below with references to the drawing figures, wherein:

FIG. 1 perspective view of deck track constructed in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention. Shown installed without the use of said fasteners (nails, screws) atop the supporting member with alignment receiver against header board.

FIG. 2 perspective view of embodiment (new invention) with detailed views of specific said upper and lower tangs, fastening holes, formed embodiment of new invention and voids from manufacturing process.

FIG. 3 perspective view of composite deck boards engaged in closed position on embodiment atop said supporting members.

FIG. 4 section of said embodiment illustrating compression fit from lower bends of new invention with said lower tangs engaged into supporting member.

FIG. 5 side elevation view of composite deck boards engaged in closed position of said upper tangs within section of the embodiment.

FIG. 6 side elevation view of slotted composite deck board with said upper fastening tang in open position (60 degree) upon said embodiment with illustration of striking direction engaging upper fastening tang into closed position.

FIG. 7 side elevation view of slotted composite deck board with said upper fastening tang in engaged (locked) position. Leading edge of tang penetrating lower surface of said slot.

The drawing figures do not limit the present invention to the specific embodiments disclosed and described herein. The drawings are not to scale emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PRESENT INVENTION SPECIFICATIONS

Turning to the drawing FIGS. 1,2,3,4,5,6,7 the present inventions embodiment FIG. 1 constructed of 16ga and 18ga hot-dipped galvanized steel, 16ga and 18ga zinc coated steel, 16ga and 18ga porcelain coated steel, 16ga and 18ga powder coated steel and 16ga and 18ga stainless steel.

The embodiment or new invention FIG. 3 showing composite slotted deck boards 10. The deck boards 10 are conventionally formed composite decking material or P.V.C. based material commonly used for decking.

As shown, each deck board 10 has elongated slots 9 on each side formed therein.

The slots 9 are preferrably formed 3/16″ top to bottom (high) and ⅜″ front to back (deep) placed in the center of composite decking edge. So as to receive fastening and receiving upper tang 4,4 a and 5.

Underlying support 2 is of 1.5″ nominal treated lumber, but can be any structural wood material measuring 1.5″ in thickness with spacing of underlying support 2 dependent upon size of deck and anticipated load carried thereon.

The deck track 3 of the preferred embodiment is shown in more detail FIG. 3,5 engaging/securing slotted composite deck boards. Deck Track 3 includes a series of formed said upper tangs 4,4 a and 5.

Upper receiving tang 5 is spaced repeatedly on said embodiment at 5.5 inches on typical centers of top flat surface of said embodiment 3. Receiving tang 5 has a vertical dimension of 0.455 inches. Starting from flat surface of said embodiment 3 to top of receiving tang 5. Receiving tang 5 has a horizontal arm 5 extending 0.412 inches from back of vertical leg 5. Vertical leg 5 set at 90 degrees to flat surface of said embodiment, horizontal arm 5 set at 90 degrees to vertical leg 5.

Upper fastening tang's 4,4 a operational engagement process starts at 60 degree per manufacture and is best illustrated in FIG. 6 when fastening tangs 4,4 a are in engaged/closed 93 degree position and tangs are penetrating the lower surface of horizontal slot 9 of of 93 degree, composite deck board 10. When said fastening tang 4,4 a are in closed position, dimensions are as follows: Flat surface of said embodiment 3 to top of fastening tang 4, 4 a is 0.337 inches with a 45 degree downturn measuring 0.167 inches.

Once the fastening tangs 4,4 a are securely engaged, the process of installing the next said composite deck board 10 is as follows: Align the horizontal deck board slot 9 with the receiving tang 5 and slide it forward into place.

When said deck board 10 is up against vertical leg of said receiving upper tang 5 lightly push down on deck board 10 so it lays flat on the surface of said embodiment 3. Now the installation process repeats itself as described and shown in FIGS. 6 and 7.

Once this process is complete and all said embodiment (Deck Tracks) 3 are in place and secure without the use of screws or nails, the installation of the composite deck boards 10 with the said manufactured horizontal slot 9 can be installed per described installation process.

The present invention has been described with reference to the preferred embodiment illustrated in the attached drawing figures, it is noted that equivalents may be employed and substitutions made herein without departing from the scope of the invention as recited in the claims. For example, particular length of track 3 spacing and deminsions between receiving and fastening tangs 4,4 a and 5 may be modified, the specific angle (degrees) of fastening tangs 4,4 a may be modified to accomadate specific applications. Other similar demensions and related aspects of said embodiment may be changed without departing from the original scope of the new invention.

Having thus described the preferred embodiment of the invention, what is claimed as new and desired to be protected by USPTO patent, includes the following: 

1. The Deck Track is an integrated deck board fastening system for fastening a series of composite deck boards to an underlying support member. Deck Track, comprising of an elongated formed steel track with a series of formed upper and lower fastening tangs. Resulting in, consistant spacing and securing of composite deck boards without the use of any mechanical fasteners (i.e. nails, screws).
 2. The Deck Track as set forth in claim 1 wherein each track has an aligning edge (start point) insuring accurate spacing of composite decking boards.
 3. The Deck Track as set forth in claim 1 wherin each track has side compression contact fit, created by inverse bend of said lower embodiment member.
 4. The Deck Track as set forth in claim 3 wherein compression contact fit also incorporates inward lower fastening tangs for securing said embodiment to support member.
 5. The Deck Track set forth in claim 1 wherein additional fastening holes are incorporated in both lower and upper embodiment to allow for additional fasteners (screws, nails) if needed.
 6. The Deck Track as set forth in claim 1 wherein multiple formed receiving tangs secure one side of slotted composite deck board to said embodiment.
 7. The Deck Track as set forth in claim 1 wherein multiple, dual-formed fastening tangs secure slotted composite deck boards on opposing side of receiving tangs.
 8. The Deck Track as set forth in claim 7 wherein the dual-formed fastening tangs are initiated at 60 degrees open position to allow for slotted composite deck boards.
 9. The Deck Track as set forth in claim 8 wherein the dual formed fasteners are driven into a 93 degree fastening closed position securing the leading edge of fastening tang into lower inside corner of slotted deck board.
 10. The Deck Track as set forth in claim 1 wherein the said embodiment is integrally formed of 16 gage galvanized steel or 18 gage of said other metals. 